BT looks for windfall with Open Orchard

BT has established a software reseller arm targeting firms with up to 500 workers.

The new division, dubbed Open Orchard, has acquired exclusive UK distribution rights for sales of business software from Orchestria and Netledger.

"We are offering customers choice on how they take delivery and how they pay," said Yvonne Thomas, chief executive at Open Orchard. "We offer the traditional licensing model or a fully managed service with monthly payments."

Orchestria's Ensure software allows companies to manage their web and email use and make sure that it complies with company policy. Open Orchard will write policies and integrate them with existing systems.

Netledger, author of Oracle's Small Business Suite, is using Open Orchard as a UK channel for its Netsuite software which has fully integrated customer relationship management, sales force automation, web trading and accountancy applications.

Open Orchard has signed an £18m deal with outsourcing firm PinkRoccade, which will act as the company's infrastructure management partner.

Ken Wilson, business development manager at PinkRoccade, said: "We are very excited about this deal and it is a great launch pad for us. This is a new concept with plenty more ideas to come."

Customers will receive onsite or offsite support from PinkRoccade, which has launched a £6m digital advertising campaign to support its products and services.